Young people are generalized more often than not especially when it comes to politics. Since the 2008 presidential election when record numbers of young people turned out to vote, those who cast ballots for their first time have been dubbed “Obama Voters.” While it is true that Obama’s success with young people was unmatched by any other candidate—in South Carolina alone, exit polls showed that Obama “drew more under-30 voters than all Republican candidates combined”— we can’t forget that young people support all different types of candidates.
Although the Millennial Generation has grown up in such defining moments as 9/11, the Dot-com boom, Hurricane Katrina, and the economic recession, we all have different views, values, and desires, which translate into different party and candidate preferences. In the most recent presidential election, Ron Paul’s young fans organized more than 40,000 members in 751 cities and towns. Huckabee was particularly popular with conservative Christian youth. And while we may be pegged as an overwhelmingly liberal generation, we can’t forget the GOP still has the support of 1 in 3 young people today.
So what does this political diversity in young people mean for who we support? It means that everywhere, young people are getting involved with the political process, making a difference in their communities. They are identifying candidates they want to represent them and they are doing all sorts of things to make sure their voice is heard from voting to volunteering to tweeting and blogging. Many may ask, what is the secret to gaining those young voters? Or will they always vote for one candidate or one party? Heather Smith, Rock the Vote’s Executive Director, said recently, “I do think that in many ways, the party that they [young people] vote for is up for grabs and it will be the candidate who engages those voters who will win the youth vote.”
When candidates pay attention to young people’s concerns and enthusiastically reach out to us, we often respond with an increased sense of ownership and a surge in participation. What issues do young people particularly care about? What can you do to make sure your elected officials know what issues matter to you?
